Danny O’Brien can find enough reasons to assess his hardy galloper Young Werther (NZ) (Tavistock) as ‘a blowout chance’ in Saturday’s Gr.1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington.
“He’s got enough good runs at the track and distance at Group One level to say he’s in the mix,” O’Brien said of his $61 chance with Sportsbet, who will be ridden by Daniel Stackhouse.
He also finished third in the 2023 Champions Stakes, with the only time he didn’t fire coming in last year’s Australian Cup, when he finished seventh but pulled up sore.
“He’s a blowout chance as he loves the course and distance and a firm track. He’s going to present there ready to fire. I’m very happy with him,” he said.
History is also on O’Brien’s side as in the past seven runnings, the Australian Cup has been won by outsiders on three occasions, with Harlem prevailing at $61 in 2018 and again in 2019 at $31 while Homesman was a $26 winner in 2021.
O’Brien said also in Young Werther’s favour will be the likelihood of the speed being on from the outset, which will suit him, while he believes form assessors should be forgiving of his last-start seventh placing in the Australian Cup Prelude (2000m) at Flemington on March 8.
“Damian Lane was happy with him. He said they really steadied up in the mid stages, which didn’t suit him, and then he got outsprinted. It will be a completely different race shape on Saturday and the pace will suit him,” he said.
“He’s ran some great races there and he’s done enough to be in the mix.”
Heading to Flemington for the last time will be Young Werther’s illustrious stablemate Vow And Declare.
Last year the pair both ran in the Australian Cup, with Vow And Declare finishing fourth, which was his final start at Flemington.
The Victoria Racing Club has invited the 2019 Melbourne Cup winner to visit on Saturday in order to farewell racing fans.
With a golden ticket available for the winner of the Listed Roy Higgins, the VRC thought it was appropriate for Vow And Declare to lead that field out onto the track and give his fans a chance to farewell him.
O’Brien said Vow And Declare was enjoying his relaxation in his yard but he was always hanging by the gate looking at the barn.
“He wants to come in and get into his box but he’s well and truly retired. He’s enjoying some equestrian work with our young rider Molly Lyons,” O’Brien said.
